If you’ve ever wondered if your home suffers from hard water, chances are it’s a resounding “Yes.” According to a U.S. geological survey, hard water is found in more than 85 percent of the country.

In this post we take a closer look at hard water. What is it? Is it safe? What problems does it cause? Are there any solutions when dealing with hard water issues? Does it require a call to a plumber for inspection?

What Is Hard Water?

When it rains the water is “soft” and free of minerals, which it picks up as it passes through rocks, sand, and soil. Hard water contains mineral salts, calcium, and magnesium ions.

In a previous post we “solved” the mystery of the rotten egg smell in your home’s plumbing. Now we take a closer look at what to do about it.

Getting Started

Before digging in, it helps to have a basic understanding of how the plumbing in the home, specifically in the bathroom.

You’ve certainly looked under the bathroom sink and into the cabinet underneath. You probably noticed a U-shaped pipe that runs from the sink drain above to a larger wastewater pipe in the wall. Few people ever really pay attention to the U-shaped pipe, or the P-trap (images), except to note it gets in the way when storing cleaning supplies or hand towels.

You know that distinctive smell that assaults your nostrils the moment you walk into a bathroom. The smell of rotten eggs. The smell of sulphur.

Why is that sewer smell in your home? Ewww. Nasty.

What is going on?

Is something wrong with the plumbing?

Is that smell from the sewer line?

What can you do about it? Call a plumber and hope it’s not a major, costly repair at your home?

The pungent smell of rotten eggs or sewer gas in your home is alarming from a sensory perspective but it is not catastrophic. It is something you can investigate and solve on your own or, if you prefer, you can call a plumber for help pinpointing the origin of the rotten egg smell and what to do about it.

In this post we take a look at the annoying rotten egg smell — what it is and what’s causing it.